MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2022 Record - 13-4
Head Coach - Kevin O' Connell
Offensive Rank - 7th (362 YPG); Scoring - 8th (24.9 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 31st (389 YPG); Scoring - 28th (25.1 PPG)
Kirk Cousins is entering his 12th NFL season and will be the starting quarterback again for the Vikings after passing for 4,547 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions a year ago. In the backfield, Dalvin Cook was released and it looks to be Alexander Mattison (283 yards, 3.8 YPC average and five TD) for the 2023 season along with Kene Nwangwu and perhaps rookie DeWayne McBride (UAB). Justin Jefferson is the top wide receiver and he had 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Jalen Reagor comes over from Philadelphia as longtime Vikings WR Adam Thielen left in the off-season. K.J. Osborn (60, 650, five TD) and rookie Jordan Addison (USC) will be in the mix as well. Tight end T.J. Hocksenson had 60 receptions for 519 yards and three scores last year.
The defense features Danielle Hunter (10 1/2 QB sacks), Khyiris Tonga, Jordan Hicks (129 tackles) and Brian Asamoah II in the front seven. The secondary has corners Byron Murphy, Jr. and Andrew Booth, Jr. along with safeties Harrison Smith (five interceptions) and Camryn Bynum. Rookies Jay Ward (LSU) and Mekhi Blackmon (USC) will look to contribute as well.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - Minnesota won 13 games a year ago and then got handled by the New York Giants in the wild card round of the playoffs which was a big disappointment. It will likely be much more difficult for them to accomplish the regular season success this year. In 2022, the Vikings won eleven one-score games and that is unheard of.
Cousins puts up impressive numbers nearly every season, but it seems the team always falls short in spite of that. The running game must step up this season to complement the passing game and the All-Pro talented Justin Jefferson. Head Coach Kevin O' Connell knows the defense has to step up this season after struggling against both the pass and run, which led to so many tight games. The schedule is way tougher this year as the Vikes face all four conference title game teams from a year ago.
Playing in the NFC North will give them a chance to repeat as division champions, but the Lions look to be much better and the Packers are always right there. Even the Chicago Bears look to be a team that will improve after a miserable season. The Vikings can make it back-to-back playoff appearances if they stay healthy and the defense shows improvement along with some of the of the new faces on offense making it easier for Cousins to direct things. But it definitely won't be as easy as last season and the final three games of the season will determine a lot for the Vikings.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Two - at Philadelphia
Week Three - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Four - at Carolina
Week Five - vs. Kansas City
Week Six - at Chicago
Week Seven - vs. San Francisco
Week Eight - at Green Bay
Week Nine - at Atlanta
Week Ten - vs. New Orleans
Week Eleven - at Denver
Week Twelve - vs. Chicago
Week Thirteen - BYE
Week Fourteen - at Las Vegas
Week Fifteen - at Cincinnati
Week Sixteen - vs. Detroit
Week Seventeen - vs. Green Bay
Week Eighteen - at Detroit
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